Senator Asking For Washington Hunter, Angler Input On Fee Increases

[Special T]

I've said this before the main issue we have is what we are getting for the $ we pay out. If we had a sportsmen centered wdfw department we should buck up and pay our share. Before I write Kirk I'm gona have to  bust out the wdfw budget and the explanation of Pitman Robert's Dingle Johnson Funds. In the past on this discussion sportsmen haven't relieved credit for those funds despite the self imposed nature of the tax.
It was auto correct but also kind of funny.

[Henrydog]

Here is my Email that I just fired off.  I am pissed


Sen. Pearson,

It has been published that you are looking for feedback on the proposal to raise hunting and fishing licenses for 2017.

In plain English NO.  NO more taxes No more fees.  Sportsman are sick and tired of footing the bill for Olympia’s liberal tax and spend agenda.  WDFW cannot manage they money they already get, so why throw money at the problem.

My family has lived continuous in this State before it was a State, my son and I fish and hunt nearly 100 days a year, and my disgust has reached its boiling point.

Currently you need a law degree to understand our hunting and fishing regs.  Please look at a copy of Montana’s or Idaho’s and then read ours and see what conclusion you draw. 

We are already getting fleeced with the Discover Pass.  I am paying money to park on public land….Public Land, the citizens own it.

We have to pay for a state migratory bird permit.  Migratory birds are FEDERAL and we pay for Duck Stamps already.

Where did the money go for the Columbia River Salmon/Steelhead Endorsement?  That’s right the Wild Fish Coalition sued the WDFW and there are no more steelhead hatchery fish. 

WDFW Enforcement leadership is a corrupt joke and Unsworth has done nothing to correct it.

The WDFW has allowed wolves to decimate deer and elk herds (I am in Eastern Washington) and does nothing but make excuses for its Liberal agenda.

If I had time I could provide many more reasons, but I have to get back to work so I can pay all your damn TAXES.

I apologize for the tone but enough is enough.

I sincerely wish you a Merry Christmas.

[bigtex]

License fees make up about 28% of WDFWs budget. The rest consists of state tax funding, federal taxes, grants, etc. WDFW isn't like some states where they don't get any state tax money.

As a result of the McCleary decision (education lawsuit that said WA needs to spend billions more on schools) WDFW will be getting less state tax funding in the future.

[Curly]

Great email, Henrydog!  Very well stated.

[JODakota]

License fees make up about 28% of WDFWs budget. The rest consists of state tax funding, federal taxes, grants, etc. WDFW isn't like some states where they don't get any state tax money.

As a result of the McCleary decision (education lawsuit that said WA needs to spend billions more on schools) WDFW will be getting less state tax funding in the future.

So get more resourceful. When my paychecks aren't as big as they normally are, I tighten the belt. I feel a state agency should have to do the same, not pinch us for more money.

[singleshot12]

To hunt and fish in this state is expensive enough. License sales will go down and poaching will go up. Also more folks will go out of state for better opportunity. To hunt and fish in this state anymore has become a COMPLETE JOKE! We pay MORE for LESS each year   

[pianoman9701]

"Dear Senator Pearson,
Thank you for giving the sportsmen of our state a platform from which we can be heard on the issue of the license increases. My bona fides are that I am a WA Master Hunter, Hunter Education Instructor, archer and fisherman, and conservationist with hundreds of volunteer hours working to improve habitat for our wildlife and teaching our residents how to be safe hunters. I'm a veteran, shooting enthusiast, and an NRA range safety officer. I have been hunting and fishing for over 50 years, 23 of those in our great state of Washington.

We had a fee increase 2 years ago and have seen little in return for the added "investment". Here are a few areas of major failure within the department.
1. Wolves, infected with the extremely damaging and contagious parasite echinococcus granulosis, are over-populating our state because the outrageous wolf plan was passed in 2011, a plan which is 50% more aggressive than that of MT, a state which has almost twice as much land and 1/8th our population. Their negative effects on our wild ungulate populations, other canids, and the communities of the NE corner can not be understated. The WDFW and the USFWS withheld important information from the US Congress and our people about the dangers to our wildlife, pets, citizens, and economy in order to push through this plan. Had the truth about disease, dangers, and economic impact been told, it never would have passed muster.
2. The hoof disease epidemic of W. WA was allowed to grow for almost 20 years before the department started to pay attention, a disease which has claimed up to 75% of some herds and is showing no signs of slowing. Respected scientists in the field who have offered their time and expertise for free have been ignored for not supporting the departments own hypothesis. The general public has been under-informed as to the extent of this devastating epidemic and the ongoing and increasing economic impacts on the region's businesses and families which all depend on healthy and abundant herds.
3. The refusal of the department to pressure large private timber companies to stop charging outrageous fees to access their land for hunting while these companies pay a fraction in real estate taxes based on tax law passed in the 70's (which assumed they would continue to allow unfettered public access), is a slap in the face to families who've hunted those woods for generations and can ill-afford to pay many hundreds of dollars extra to hunt. Many subsistence hunters are unable to feed their families on wild game because of these fees.
4. And lastly, the complete failure of WDFW Law Enforcement leadership and WDFW Administration to support the efforts of the wonderful LE men and women working in the field to stop, arrest, and convict poachers is mind boggling (Operation Cody is a must-read book on the failures of the WDFW LE leadership after a magnificent two year sting operation). Cronyism, complacency, grandstanding, unprofessionalism, and an utter lack of cooperation with hard working LE in the field and prosecutors to bring wildlife offenders to justice is rampant. Please refer to the WA State Patrol records on the investigations into the department LE leadership and their findings.

I would support increases more readily had I any confidence that the money would be used efficiently and in the interest of wildlife and the hunters and fishers who have to pay them. I have no such confidence. All of us in the sporting community were hoping to see sweeping changes when Director Unsworth took over the big chair. Instead, what we got were a few token changes in seasons and regulations meant to pacify the discouraged and disgusted ranks of our sporting community. These changes haven't had the desired effect. Hunter numbers here are decreasing far faster than the national average and the lack of confidence by hunters and fishers that the department is working to make wildlife abundant and the outdoor experience better is obvious. I would urge you to withhold authorization for the increases until WDFW LE leadership is completely turned over, the wolves in E. WA are de-listed from protections, and a path to better cooperation from large landholders for public access becomes a priority and is initiated. I'm unsure what needs to be done further about hoof disease and I fear it may be too little, late to help our poor W. WA elk and those who depend on their survival.

Thank you for your consideration of my views, Senator."
PMan

[Bob33]

My letter to him included several of the same points:

- Credibility and trust
- Predator management
- Enforcement management out of control.

[Buzz2401]

I pay well over $700 a year for my wife and I to fish and hunt each year and I don't want to see another increase.  But I feel that a lot of the things that people are complaining about are out of WDFW's control.  WDFW didn't pass the law saying no dogs for cougars or bears, the people of washington did.  WDFW didn't want to shut down steelhead hatcheries they got sued and had to.  WDFW doesn't make our halibut or salmon seasons they get told what the quota will be and have to manage the people to the quota.  We have a unique state that has a lot to offer but we also have a huge amount of people that partake in those activities.  We need to stop attacking WDFW and start attacking our senators and get our voice heard.  WDFW hands are tied for most of the issues that are being brought up.  They have a budge and are trying to find money to pay for it cause they know that the voter passed school levy is gonna take money away from them.

[pianoman9701]

I pay well over $700 a year for my wife and I to fish and hunt each year and I don't want to see another increase.  But I feel that a lot of the things that people are complaining about are out of WDFW's control.  WDFW didn't pass the law saying no dogs for cougars or bears, the people of washington did.  WDFW didn't want to shut down steelhead hatcheries they got sued and had to.  WDFW doesn't make our halibut or salmon seasons they get told what the quota will be and have to manage the people to the quota.  We have a unique state that has a lot to offer but we also have a huge amount of people that partake in those activities.  We need to stop attacking WDFW and start attacking our senators and get our voice heard.  WDFW hands are tied for most of the issues that are being brought up.  They have a budge and are trying to find money to pay for it cause they know that the voter passed school levy is gonna take money away from them.

All due respects, but if you think they're doing the best they can with what they have, you're not paying attention.

[Bob33]

I pay well over $700 a year for my wife and I to fish and hunt each year and I don't want to see another increase.  But I feel that a lot of the things that people are complaining about are out of WDFW's control.  WDFW didn't pass the law saying no dogs for cougars or bears, the people of washington did.  WDFW didn't want to shut down steelhead hatcheries they got sued and had to.  WDFW doesn't make our halibut or salmon seasons they get told what the quota will be and have to manage the people to the quota.  We have a unique state that has a lot to offer but we also have a huge amount of people that partake in those activities.  We need to stop attacking WDFW and start attacking our senators and get our voice heard.  WDFW hands are tied for most of the issues that are being brought up.  They have a budge and are trying to find money to pay for it cause they know that the voter passed school levy is gonna take money away from them.

Much of that is true, which means that WDFW needs to make a greater effort to work with sportsmen in areas they can control. It is WDFW's fault that Mike Cenci is still in charge of Enforcement. They can make the seasons for predators like cougar longer, with fewer restrictions and less expensive tag fees. They can be more responsive to issues raised by hunters.

[Buzz2401]

I pay well over $700 a year for my wife and I to fish and hunt each year and I don't want to see another increase.  But I feel that a lot of the things that people are complaining about are out of WDFW's control.  WDFW didn't pass the law saying no dogs for cougars or bears, the people of washington did.  WDFW didn't want to shut down steelhead hatcheries they got sued and had to.  WDFW doesn't make our halibut or salmon seasons they get told what the quota will be and have to manage the people to the quota.  We have a unique state that has a lot to offer but we also have a huge amount of people that partake in those activities.  We need to stop attacking WDFW and start attacking our senators and get our voice heard.  WDFW hands are tied for most of the issues that are being brought up.  They have a budge and are trying to find money to pay for it cause they know that the voter passed school levy is gonna take money away from them.

All due respects, but if you think they're doing the best they can with what they have, you're not paying attention.

Those words were not typed by me.  They are a governement agengy there is always going to be waste.  At no time did I say we shouldn't fight the increase.  But alot of the hatred towards WDFW is mislead.  People think the WDFW has a lot more power then they really do.

[Henrydog]

This States' departments, all of them not just WDFW, are a bloated mess of taxes and red tape.  State employees have a piss pour attitude and find any way possible to screw the taxpayer and pass the buck to someone else.  All of this when we have to pay more and more for their pensions, bloated benefits, and feel good seminars they attend on MY and YOUR dime.  I am sure some state employee will have a poor me story, and that I just don't understand.  Olympia needs to burned to the ground.

[huntnphool]

I pay well over $700 a year for my wife and I to fish and hunt each year and I don't want to see another increase.  But I feel that a lot of the things that people are complaining about are out of WDFW's control.  WDFW didn't pass the law saying no dogs for cougars or bears, the people of washington did.  WDFW didn't want to shut down steelhead hatcheries they got sued and had to.  WDFW doesn't make our halibut or salmon seasons they get told what the quota will be and have to manage the people to the quota.  We have a unique state that has a lot to offer but we also have a huge amount of people that partake in those activities.  We need to stop attacking WDFW and start attacking our senators and get our voice heard.  WDFW hands are tied for most of the issues that are being brought up.  They have a budge and are trying to find money to pay for it cause they know that the voter passed school levy is gonna take money away from them.

 So why support a increase that has money earmarked for hatcheries when those hatcheries can be closed down with the threat of another law suit?

 With so many of these issues being mandated by someone other than WDFW, it appears to me that we could slim down the WDFW itself. Keep the officers and downsize the suits, that should free up the revenue they are looking to find.

[Special T]

License fees make up about 28% of WDFWs budget. The rest consists of state tax funding, federal taxes, grants, etc. WDFW isn't like some states where they don't get any state tax money.

As a result of the McCleary decision (education lawsuit that said WA needs to spend billions more on schools) WDFW will be getting less state tax funding in the future.

I knew you would bring up the 28%. That however does not include dingle Johnson or pitman Roberson funds.

The simple fact is that as they raise prices they will get less people buying licenses and associated gear. I don't  buy fishing gear anymore not lic so what does that get the state?

Raising prices isn't static  I can and do buy less because of what the wdfw does. So should others.